Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has been calling for a combat in opposition to fellow former titleholder Sean Strickland a lot of the 12 months.
“I really feel like we’ve each been in that prime form of the pond for some time circling one another,” Whittaker mentioned throughout an look on the “On Paper with Anthony Smith” podcast in February. “I really feel like for no matter purpose we haven’t been matched up, however we’ve each been in proximity for some time. It’s almost certainly the combat to make. I’m excited by that combat. I have a look at his type and I discover it curious. I discover it thrilling to attempt to work out. He’s a tricky dude. He is a tricky dude, however I’m actually proud in my talent set and assured in my talent set.”
In February, Strickland was coming off a loss to then-champion Dricus du Plessis, and Whittaker was coming off a loss to present titleholder Khamzat Chimaev. Strickland hasn’t fought because the loss to Du Plessis partially as a result of he was suspended. Whittaker suffered a second loss in a row to Reinier de Ridder in July.
Strickland is ranked No. 3 within the division and not too long ago mentioned he solely needs fights which might be going to get him nearer to a title shot in opposition to rival Chimaev. A win over Whittaker would not harm even with “The Reaper” being ranked No. 9. If Whittaker had his method, he’d face “Tarzan” on subsequent 12 months’s UFC combat card at the White Home.
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“I might like to combat Sean Strickland in entrance of the White Home,” Whittaker advised FOX Sports activities Australia. “For one, I believe that is going to be a monumental event. When are you ever going to have the ability to combat in entrance of the White Home ever once more?
“I have been attempting to combat Sean for the longest of occasions simply because I like that combat. We have been in the identical circles for some time,” Whittaker continued. “He is nonetheless ranked three, which places me proper again in a dialog that I need to be part of, and I believe it will be a enjoyable combat. I believe it will be combat to observe.
